Can't believe they wrote that....

[alleyallen]

Idea spawned from another thread (as are most of the threads I start)....

What word or phrase has appeared in a story you've seen (unedited is fine, obviously) that shocked you for its usage?

I know the list starts with these two:

* I
* This reporter

I'd also like to add "whilst."
Do. Not. Ever. Use. Whilst. In. Place. Of. While.

I also would like to add desperado, which one Mickey Spillane wannabe used to describe a guy the police caught after a foot chase.

 

[SF_Express]

No amongst, either.

I have less problem with "I" than a lot of people.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

No amongst, either.

I have less problem with "I" than a lot of people.

I think he means in non-opinion pieces. At least if he's drawing from the same thread I think he's drawing it from.

There's few things that shock me, though after nearly six years at small dailies/weeklies, little surprises me anymore. It's more irritating stuff, like "_____ the fact that". I would HOPE everything you write is a fact. If you have to call special attention to something being a fact, I think it's time I have some of your works reviewed.

I've seen some unrepentant cheerleading in stories, but after the first few exposures, you tend to get numb to it.

I've told this story before, but the metro here once ran "This one time, at band camp" as a topper above a photo and hed for a story about some band camp in the area. It was a metro section feature. I do wonder if anyone there knows how the rest of that line goes. I know one for sure who does.

 

[alleyallen]

Isn't there also something vomit-inducing about the phrase "...only time will tell?"

 

[sportschick]

Re: Can\'t believe they wrote that....

Plated.

 

[doubledown68]

I used the word huzzah in a story recently, and was damn proud of myself. As in, Team A had to keep the huzzah's and high five's to a minimum with another tough opponent, yada, yada, yada..

 

[alleyallen]

Huzzah? Wow.

I'd also offer the word "Pwned" from a previous thread.

 

[Armchair_QB]

Roasted Nuts

 

[Bob Cook]

If I see one more story calling someone a "rock star" even though that person technically does not list "rock star" on his or her W-2, I swear, I'll start listening to smooth jazz.

 

[melock]

I got to this paper that had been shorthanded for a month until I got there. It was spring time so they had a part-timer doing the boys tennis beat. Anyone who has done a tennis beat knows that's very doable.

This one kid is an outstanding player and is getting ready for the state tournament. He's a freshman that had come in and put a good program over the top. So the lead of the preview for the state tourney story went like this, "Great tennis player changed the fortunes for good tennis team.'

The kid was Chinese. End of story.

 

[pallister]

Starting a statement with "needless to say" should be outlawed.

Another annoying one is "grand slam home run."

 

[Mighty_Wingman]

Ugh. Grand slam home run is brutal, though not as bad as "plated."

I'm against old-timey names for athletes: gridders, cagers, thin-clads, etc. Crops up more in P.R. copy (especially SIDs, for some reason) than in newspaper copy, though.

 

[Write-brained]

Maybe I'm getting sensitive in my old age but I was tad shocked to see the word "screwed" in a Richard Hoffer story on Philly.com the other day ... something to the effect of "Drexel got screwed."

I don't think my paper would let me get away with that, especially outside of a quote. I can try, though :D

 

[Mighty_Wingman]

"Unfortunately," as in "unfortunately, Hometown High's run to the Class 5A title ended with a 77-25 loss to Big City High on Saturday."

This happens a lot at my paper.

 

[Babs]

I'd also like to add "whilst."
Do. Not. Ever. Use. Whilst. In. Place. Of. While.

I think the closer you are to Canada, the more likely you are to be tempted to use this. But in the US it's arcane, I agree.

I would add "the likes of" to the list. Example: "joining the likes of Babe Ruth and Micky Mantle." If there were so many people like them, they wouldn't be legends.

 

[david kaye]

The word "currently" makes my head explode. Here are a few tidbits from the wire in the last day.


The Raptors currently lead the Atlantic Division with a 35-29 record

Vanderbilt currently ranks first in the nation in 3-point shooting percentage

(Montoya's) currently 22nd in the Nextel Cup points standings

The book is currently on The New York Times Best Seller List.

 

[Mighty_Wingman]

I'm not sure if this is technically wrong, but I've always thought "including" is often misused. If Joe Blow, John Smith and Tom Smith are the only members of a group, you shouldn't write "The group included Joe Blow, John Smith and Tom Smith." That's who the group consisted of.

Too anal?

 

[Babs]

Too anal?

I'm going with yes here.

 

[Killick]

Too anal?

I'm going with yes here.

Ahem. Paging Boots. Paging Boots. ;D

 

[Mighty_Wingman]

Sigh.